Countdown to kickoff: More than 2 dozen new coaches prowling WPIAL sidelines
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Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 10:10 PM
They are new faces in new places supplying new hopes and golden dreams.
Some are rookie head coaches replacing experienced coaches while other veteran coaches are starting over at new venues.
Some schools have a new football coach for the first time in decades while others continue to play roulette with their head coaching position.
This offseason was not as busy as the year before, but 26 new head football coaches were hired between the WPIAL and City League.
Here is a rundown of the new coaches and who they replaced.
Baldwin: Dana Brown replaced Tim Sweeney
Bentworth: David Pordash replaces John Knabb
Bethel Park: Phil Peckich replaces Brian DeLallo
Blackhawk: Patrick Feeley replaces Zack Hayward
Brentwood: Nick Caponi replaces Kevin Kissel
Burgettstown: Mark Druga replaces Greg Marshall
Carlynton: John Tortorea replaces Rich Piccinini
Carmichaels: Ryan Krull replaces Ron Gallagher
Carrick: Dennis Wolford replaces Greg Johnston
Central Catholic: Ryan Lehmeier replaces Terry Totten
Charleroi: Tyler Aeschbacher replaces Marc Gambino
Elizabeth Forward: John DeMarco replaces Mike Collodi
Fox Chapel: Dave Leasure replaces Tom Loughran
Freedom: Ron Balog replaces John Rosa
Greensburg Central Catholic: JT Thompson replaces Marko Thomas
Greensburg Salem: Ty George replaces Dave Keefer
Hempfield: Nick Keefer replaces Mike Brown
Mt. Lebanon: Mike Collodi replaces Bob Palko
North Catholic: Chris Rizzo replaces Pat O’Shea
Norwin: Mike Brown replaces Dave Brozeski
Riverside: Bill Hand replaces Fran Ramsden
South Allegheny: Brian Hanson replaces Darwin Manges
South Park: Brian Abbey replaces Marty Rieck
Valley: Mark Adams replaces Dave Heavner
West Greene: Beau Jackson replaces Brian Hanson
Woodland Hills: Brian Tarrant replaces Tim Bostard
More High School Football
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• Southmoreland turns to former Yough star Dustin Shoaf, 23, to lead football program
• Latrobe names former assistant Tom McIntyre as new football coach
• 5 WPIAL quarterbacks named as finalists for Willie Thrower Award